Translation guide
An abscess is a painful collection of pus caused by an infection. In Japanese, the most common general term is 膿瘍 (のうよう), but in everyday conversation, people often describe the symptoms or use more specific words like できもの (boil-like swelling) or 腫れ物 (swelling).
Referring to an abscess in a medical or general context, such as a skin abscess or internal abscess.
The standard medical term for abscess. Used in formal and clinical settings. Can refer to any abscess, including internal ones.
歯根に膿瘍ができました。
I developed an abscess at the root of my tooth.
膿瘍の治療には切開排膿が必要です。
Treatment of an abscess requires incision and drainage.
A common, everyday word for any kind of skin lump, boil, or abscess. Not strictly medical, but widely understood. Often used for visible skin abscesses.
背中に大きなできものができて痛い。
I have a big abscess on my back and it hurts.
Refers to a swelling or boil, often with pus. Similar to できもの but emphasizes the swelling aspect. Common in everyday language.
脇の下に腫れ物ができて、熱を持っています。
I have an abscess under my armpit, and it feels hot.
Literally 'pus', but can be used colloquially to refer to a pus-filled abscess. More often used in phrases like 膿が出る (pus comes out).
傷口から膿が出てきた。
Pus started coming out of the wound.
Describing a particular kind of abscess, such as a boil, carbuncle, or dental abscess.
Medical term for a boil (furuncle), a type of skin abscess around a hair follicle. Often used in clinical contexts.
癤ができて座るのがつらい。
I have a boil and it's painful to sit.
Medical term for a carbuncle, a cluster of boils. Rarely used outside medical contexts.
糖尿病患者は癰を発症しやすい。
Diabetic patients are prone to developing carbuncles.
Dental abscess (periapical abscess). Commonly used in dental contexts.
歯根膿瘍のため歯医者に行った。
I went to the dentist because of a dental abscess.
Perianal abscess. A specific medical term.
肛門周囲膿瘍は切開排膿が必要になることが多い。
Perianal abscesses often require incision and drainage.
Talking about the signs of an abscess, such as swelling, pain, redness, and pus.
To accumulate pus. A common way to describe an abscess forming.
傷口に膿がたまって腫れてきた。
Pus accumulated in the wound and it started to swell.
To swell and feel hot. Typical description of an inflamed abscess.
そのできものは腫れて熱を持っている。
That abscess is swollen and feels hot.
Throbbing pain, often associated with an abscess.
歯茎がずきずき痛んで、膿瘍かもしれない。
My gum is throbbing with pain; it might be an abscess.
できもの is a general term for any skin lump, including pimples, boils, and cysts. 膿瘍 specifically means a pus-filled abscess and is more clinical. Use できもの in everyday conversation unless you need to be precise.
The English loanword アブセス is rarely used and may not be understood. Stick to native Japanese terms.